acetylsalicylic acid

acrylic acid

adenylic acid

alpha-hydroxy acid

Abbreviation: AHA

Any of a class of water-soluble acids derived from fruit or milk, having a hydroxyl moiety in the first position in the molecule. AHAs are used in chemical peels and other skin care products to remove the outer layer of the epidermis. This chemical exfoliation is promoted for its cosmetic effects on wrinkled or sun-damaged skin.

alpha-linolenic acid

C18H30O2, an omega-3 fatty acid derived from plants, esp. seeds (canola oil, flaxseed, walnuts and pumpkins) and from some fish (salmon and mackerel).

aminoglutaric acid

aminosalicylic acid

aminosuccinic acid

arachidonic acid

C20H32O2, an omega-6 fatty acid formed by the action of enzymes on phospholipids in cell membranes. The acid is found in many foods. It is metabolized primarily by the cyclo-oxygenase or 5-lipoxygenase pathways to produce prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are important mediators of inflammation. Corticosteroids inhibit formation of arachidonic acid from phospholipids when cell membranes are damaged. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as salicylates, indomethacin, and ibuprofen inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

benzoic acid

bile acid

Any of the complex acids that occur as salts in bile, e.g., cholic, glycocholic, and taurocholic acids. They give bile its foamy character, are important in the digestion of fats in the intestine, and are reabsorbed from the intestine to be used again by the liver. See: enterohepatic circulation

binary acid

An acid containing hydrogen and one other element.

boric acid

H3BO3, a white crystalline acid that in water forms a very weak acid solution poisonous to plants and animals. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and glycerin. See: boric acid poisoning

deoxyribonucleic acid

diacetic acid

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

p-dichlorosulfamoyl benzoicacid

4,8-dihydroxyquinaldic acid

docosahexaenoic acid

, docosahexanoic Abbreviation: DHA

C22H32O2, an omega-3 fatty acid found in the oils of cold-water fish and in algae. DHA plays a role in the development of nerve cell membranes and is required for the normal growth and development of the infant brain. Lack of DHA has been linked to growing numbers of people suffering from depression.

exogenous uric acid

fatty acid

Any of numerous monobasic acids with the general formula CnH2n+1-COOH (an alkyl radical attached to a carboxyl group).

Fatty acids are insoluble in water. This insolubility would prevent their being absorbed from the intestines, but the action of bile salts on the fatty acids enable thems to be absorbed. Fatty acids include acetic, butyric, capric, caproic, caprylic, formic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double or triple bonds in the carbon chain. They include those of the oleic series (oleic, tiglic, hypogeic, and palmitoleic) and the linoleic or linolic series (linoleic, linolenic, clupanodonic, arachidonic, hydrocarpic, and chaulmoogric). See: fat

folic acid

C19H19N7O6, a water-soluble B complex vitamin needed for DNA synthesis and amino acid metabolism. It is present in green leafy vegetables, beans, and yeast. It is used to treat megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias and to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) and cardiovascular disease in adults. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age who may become or are pregnant should consume 0.8 mg of folic acid daily to reduce their risk of having a child affected with spina bifida or other NTDs. See: neural tube defect Synonym: folate; vitamin B9

CAUTION!

Folic acid should not be used to treat pernicious anemia (a vitamin B12 deficiency) because it does not protect patients against the development of changes in the central nervous system that accompany this type of anemia.

folinic acid

C20H23N7O7, the active form of folic acid. It is used to counteract the effects of folic acid antagonists and to treat folic acid deficiency anemia.

formic acid

HCOOH, the first and strongest member of the monobasic fatty acid series. It occurs naturally in certain animal secretions, e.g., the sting of insects such as bees and ants, and in muscle, but it is also prepared synthetically.

formiminoglutamic acid

free fatty acid

Abbreviation: FFA

The form in which a fatty acid leaves the cell to be transported for use in another part of the body. FFAs are not esterified and may be unbound (not bound to protein). In the plasma, the nonesterified fatty acids released immediately combine with albumin to form bound free fatty acids.

free fetal nucleic acid

Abbreviation: ffNA

Fetal RNA or DNA in blood or body fluids. It is used to determine the sex of the fetus (as in pregnancies in which X-linked inherited diseases are a concern) or to identify other genetically transmitted illnesses, e.g., trisomies. Synonym: cell-free fetal nucleic acid

fumaric acid

C4H4O4, one of the organic acids in the Krebs cycle. It is used as a substitute for tartaric acid in beverages and baking powders.

CAUTION!

gallic acid

C6H2(OH)3COOH, a colorless crystalline acid. It occurs naturally as an excrescence on the twigs of trees, esp. oaks, as a reaction to the deposition of gall wasp eggs. It is used as a skin astringent and in the manufacture of writing inks and dyes.

glucuronic acid

CHO(CHOH)4COOH, an oxidation product of glucose that is present in the urine. Toxic products (salicylic acid, menthol, phenol) that have entered the body through the intestinal tract are detoxified in the liver by conjugation with glucuronic acid.

glyoxylic acid

hippuric acid

C6H5CONHCH2COOH, an acid formed and excreted by the kidneys. It is formed from the combination of benzoic acid and glycine. The synthesis takes place in the liver and, to a limited extent, in the kidneys.

hexafluorosilicic acid

homogentisic acid

hyaluronic acid

Abbreviation: HA

(C14H21NO11)n, an acid mucopolysaccharide found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue that acts as a binding and protective agent. It is found in synovial fluid and in the vitreous and aqueous humors of the eye. Patients with osteoarthritis have elevated serum levels of HA. Synonym: hyaluronan

hydrochloric acid

hydrocyanic acid

HCN, a colorless, extremely poisonous, highly volatile acid that occurs naturally in plants but is also produced synthetically. It acts by preventing cellular respiration. Hydrocyanic acid is used in electroplating, fumigation, and in producing dyes, pigments, synthetic fibers, and plastic. Exposure of humans to 200 to 500 parts of hydrocyanic acid per 1,000,000 parts of air for 30 min is fatal. Synonym: hydrogen cyanide

hydrofluoric acid

HF, a corrosive solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. It can be used in dentistry to etch composites and porcelain surfaces and is used industrially to etch glass. See: hydrogen fluoride

CAUTION!

Exposure to the skin and aerodigestive tract causes severe burns with local necrosis and systemic manifestations resulting from disordered calcium and potassium metabolism. Treatments with calcium gluconate can be beneficial.

iocetamic acid

iopanoic acid

keto acid

Any organic acid containing the ketone CO (carbonyl radical).

lactic acid

C3H6O3, an organic acid formed in muscles during anaerobic cell respiration in strenuous exercise. It is also formed during anaerobic muscle activity when glucose cannot be changed to pyruvic acid in glycolysis. It contributes to muscle aches and fatigue. Synonym: lactacid

levulinic acid

lignoceric acid

C24H48O2, a saturated, naturally occurring fatty acid present in certain foods, including peanuts. It is also found in wood tar, various cerebrosides, and in small amounts in most natural fats. The acid is also a by-product of lignin production.

malic acid

malonic acid

C3H4O4, a dibasic acid formed by the oxidation of malic acid and active in the Krebs cycle in carbohydrate metabolism. Malonic acid is found in beets. Its inhibition of succinic dehydrogenase is the classic example of competitive inhibition.

mineral acid

methacrylic acid

monounsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid containing one double bond between carbon atoms. It is found in olive oil and is the predominant fat in the Mediterranean diet. It is thought to reduce low-density lipoprotein levels without affecting high-density lipoprotein levels.

nitrous acid

nonvolatile acid

An acid, such as lactic acid or sulfuric acid, that accumulates in the body as a result of digestion, disease, or metabolism. It cannot be excreted from the body by ventilation but must be excreted by organs other than the lungs, e.g., by acidification of the urine.

NUCLEIC ACID: DNA and RNA

nucleic acid

Any of the high-molecular-weight molecules that carry the genetic information crucial to the replication of cells and the manufacturing of cellular proteins. They have a complex structure formed of sugars (pentoses), phosphoric acid, and nitrogen bases (purines and pyrimidines). Most important are ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). See: illustration

octadecanoic acid

okadaic acid

C44H68O13, a toxic acid found in shellfish. The toxin is produced by oceanic phytoplankton consumed by filter-feeding marine animals such as clams, crabs, and mussels and is the cause of diarrheal shellfish poisoning. Ingestion of these shellfish by humans results in profuse watery diarrhea.

oleic acid

omega-3 fatty acid

, ?-3 fatty acid

Any of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the oils of some saltwater fish, and in canola, flaxseed, walnuts, and some vegetables. These acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Alpha-linolenic acid (found in flaxseed and chia) can be metabolically converted to omega-3 fatty acids in the body. People whose diets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids have a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease. Synonym: n-3 fatty acid

omega-6 fatty acid

, ?-6 fatty acid

Any of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, thought to influence cardiovascular and growth function when balanced with omega-3 fatty acids in eicosanoid production. Linoleic acids are derived from vegetable oils; arachidonic acids, from animal fats. Synonym: n-6 fatty acid

omega-9 fatty acid

, ?-9 fatty acid

Any of the nonessential unsaturated fatty acids that have a double carbon bond in the ninth position from the end of their fatty acid tail. They include oleic acid (present in olive oil), stearic acid, and erucic acid.

orotic acid

osmic acid

oxalic acid

C2H2O4, the simplest dibasic organic acid. Its potassium or calcium salts occur naturally in rhubarb, wood sorrel, and other plants. It is the strongest organic acid and is poisonous. When properly diluted, it removes ink or rust stains from cloth. It is used also as a reagent.

palmitic acid

pantothenic acid

C9H17NO5, an acid of the vitamin B complex, occurring naturally in yeast, liver, heart, salmon, eggs, and various grains. It is part of coenzyme A, which is necessary for the Krebs cycle and for conversion of amino acids and lipids to carbohydrates. Synonym: vitamin B5

para-aminohippuric acid

para-aminosalicylic acid

Abbreviation: PAS, PASA

C7H7NO3, a white or nearly white, practically odorless powder that darkens when exposed to air or light. It is a second-line drug used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Synonym: aminosalicylic acid

pectic acid

pentanoic acid

peptide nucleic acid

Abbreviation: PNA

A synthetic nucleic acid analog in which natural nucleotide bases are linked to a peptide-like backbone instead of the sugar-phosphate backbone found in DNA and RNA. PNA has numerous uses in gene regulation, splicing, and therapy; in hybridization; and as a molecular diagnostic assay.

perchloric acid

HClO4, a colorless unstable liquid compound. It is the highest oxygen-containing acid of chlorine, strong and dangerously corrosive.

phenylglycolic acid

phosphoric acid

An acid formed by oxidation of phosphorus. The phosphoric acids are orthophosphoric acid, H3PO4; pyrophosphoric acid, H4P2O7; metaphosphoric acid, HPO3; and hypophosphoric acid, H4P2O6. The salts of these acids are phosphates. Orthophosphoric acid, a tribasic acid, is used as a 30% to 50% solution to etch enamel of teeth in preparation for bonding of resin dental restorations.

phytic acid

picric acid

C6H2(NO2)3OH, a yellow crystalline powder that precipitates proteins and explodes when heated or charged. It is used as a dye and a reagent. Its salts are used in the Jaffé reaction (used to measure serum creatinine). Synonym: trinitrophenol

polylactic acid

propionic acid

4-pyridoxic acid

C8H9NO4, a crystalline acid that is the principal end product of pyridoxine metabolism, excreted in human urine.

pyruvic acid

C3H4O3, an organic acid that plays an important role in the Krebs cycle. It is an intermediate product in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids. Its quantity in the blood and tissues increases in thiamine deficiency because thiamine is essential for its oxidation.

ribonucleic acid

ricinoleic acid

salicylic acid

C7H6O3, a white crystalline acid derived from phenol used to make aspirin, as a preservative and flavoring agent, and in the topical treatment of some skin conditions such as warts and wrinkles. See: chemical peeling

sulfosalicylic acid

sulfuric acid

H2SO4, a colorless, corrosive, oily, viscous acid prepared from sulfur dioxide and used in many industrial processes and in clinical laboratories. Industrial accidents involving sulfuric acid through contact with skin or inhalation of aerosols are common.

tannic acid

tartaric acid

C4H6O6, an acid obtained from by-products of wine fermentation. It is widely used in industry in the manufacture of carbonated drinks, flavored gelatins, dyes, and metals. It is also used as a reagent. It is thought to be an allergen.

taurocholic acid

teichoic acid

Any of the polymers found in the cell walls of some gram-positive bacteria, such as the staphylococci.

tranexamic acid

C8H15NO2, an antifibrinolytic drug that has approx. 10 times the potency of and more sustained activity than aminocaproic acid. It is used to decrease bleeding time during surgical procedures. Loss of blood is decreased when this drug is used.

trans-fatty acid

The solid fat produced by heating liquid vegetable oils in the presence of hydrogen and certain metal catalysts. Partial hydrogenation changes some of the unsaturated bonds to saturated ones. The more trans-fatty acids in the diet, the higher the serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

trichloroacetic acid

Abbreviation: TCA

A drug used as a caustic to destroy certain types of warts, condylomata, keratoses, and hyperplastic tissue.

2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid

2,4,5-T.

unsaturated fatty acid

An organic acid in which some of the carbon atoms are linked to other carbon atoms by double bonds, thus containing less than the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms, e.g., unsaturated oleic and linoleic acids as compared with the saturated stearic acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids include linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid.

uric acid

C5H4N4O3, a crystalline acid occurring as an end product of purine metabolism. It is formed from purine bases derived from nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). It is a common constituent of urinary stones and gouty tophi. See: illustration

Output

Uric acid must be excreted because it cannot be metabolized. Uric acid output should be between 0.8 and 1g/day if the patient is on an ordinary diet.

Increased elimination is observed after ingestion of proteins and nitrogenous foods, after exercise, after administration of cytotoxic agents, and in gout and leukemia. Decreased elimination is observed in kidney failure, lead poisoning, and in those who eat a protein-free diet.

valproic acid

vanillylmandelic acid

, vanilmandelic acid Abbreviation: VMA

C9H10O5, a principal metabolic product of catecholamines. VMA makes up approx. 90% of the metabolites of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine and is secreted in the urine. People with pheochromocytoma produce excess amounts of catecholamines; therefore there are increased amounts of VMA in their urine.

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